Chapter 2

"What's your parents' names if you're really the daughter of the richest man in town?"

Mocking laughter echoed from across the room.

I ignored it, focused solely on getting to the bottom of what was going on.

My husband sneered at me, "You really are just a country bumpkin like I said. Asking for their names? You're not worthy of even mentioning my darling's parents."

"But I'm in a good mood today, so I'll tell you. It's the Thornton family, the wealthiest in the city. While they only have one son in the public eye, they actually have a daughter they've kept carefully hidden. That's Melody."

Melody jumped in, continuing Kellan's words: "Honey, don't be so harsh. She's just a housewife after all, probably hasn't seen much of the world in her life."

"It's pointless explaining to her anyway. She probably doesn't even know who the Thornton family is."

"Oh darling, you've suffered so much, having to be with someone like her for three years. It must have been so difficult for you."

Kellan gazed at Melody adoringly: "If all that hardship was meant to lead me to you, my darling, then it wasn't difficult at all."Melody was deeply moved by these words and immediately embraced him with emotion.

I couldn't care less about feeling disgusted. Because, if what they both said was true,

Then Melody wasn't some illegitimate child; she should have the same parents as me.

My parents did indeed have a daughter who had never shown her face, but that was me.

And from childhood to adulthood, I had never seen an older or younger sister.

At this moment, a thought sprouted in my mind.

That this Melody standing before me was an imposter.

So, I challenged her: "You claim to be a daughter of the Thornton family, what proof do you have?"

A flicker of panic crossed Melody's face, but it quickly disappeared.

Kellan, however, angrily slapped me: "You barren hen, how dare you question my darling's identity."

"You can insult me, but I absolutely won't allow you to insult my darling."

I wasn't afraid at all, and as soon as he finished speaking, I slapped him right back.

I used to be so good to you because I loved you.

But once you cross the line, you're nothing in my eyes.

Kellan was stunned; he never thought I would actually dare to hit him.He angrily shoved me to the ground, raining down punches and kicks.

The disparity in strength between men and women left me powerless to resist.

In no time, I was coughing up blood from the beating.

Seeing blood, Melody lazily pulled Kellan away.

"That's enough, stop hitting her."

Kellan roared at me furiously: "Let me tell you, I'm the son-in-law of the Thornton family. Even if I beat you to death, the Thorntons will cover it up for me."

"If it weren't for Melody pleading for you today, I absolutely wouldn't let you off."

Kellan grabbed a fistful of my hair, forcing me to look up.

"You wanted evidence, didn't you? Darling, show her the family photo with your parents. Let her give up hope."

Melody irritably held the photo in front of my eyes: "Didn't you want proof? Take a good look."

"You backwoods hick, do you even know who's in this picture? You probably can't recognize anyone anyway."

But she didn't notice my knowing smile.

I could now confirm that she was the imposter.

The people in the photo were indeed my parents, but my brother was missing from it.Our family has a tradition when it comes to taking family portraits - we won't snap the picture unless everyone's present.